Episode 92- PODSWAP: Slumber Party For Your Soul with Christine Winebrenner Irick
This episode originally aired on July 29, 2022 on the Through Inspired Eyes Podcast.
You know that feeling you get when you're about to embark on an amazing experience? You can't wait to travel, see amazing places and meet new people. It's a feeling of endless possibilities and like anything can happen. You can do it all on your own.
Well, making the most of your travels isn't really something we do on our own. Traveling opens up your mind to new possibilities and messages from the universe!
In this pod swap, Christine got to sit on the other side of the mic from her friend and colleague, Jackie Roby. You might recognize her name from Episode 13 of Soul Of Travel.
And if you haven't heard it, now's a great time to go back and catch that episode.
This time Jackie is asking the questions, and Christine was able to fully express the intention behind each experience with Lotus Sojourns, the magic she sees in and travel and the importance of community in a way that she hasn't before.
In this conversation, Christine shares a bit about the messages she received from the universe, and how she decided to honor the guidance, listen closely and create change in my business.
We explore Christine’s mission to create a global sisterhood of cultural empathy to honor each other, embrace our voices, and celebrate ourselves.
Christine shares how travel can be a big part of our personal growth journey and what it is like to take a trip with a foundation in education community and an inner journey.
Soul of Travel we'll be back in a few weeks with season four.
I can hardly believe we'll be celebrating our 100th episode soon!
Make sure you take a moment to show Jackie some love and find this episode on her podcast, Through Inspired Eyes and leave a comment or share it here after listening and Christine will let Jackie know what you took away from this conversation.
Join Christine for her soulful conversation with Jackie Roby.
In this episode, Jackie and Christine discuss:
What inspired Christine to start Lotus Sojourn?
Christine’s mission to create a global sisterhood of cultural empathy to honor each other, embrace our voices, and celebrate ourselves
What it is like to take a trip with a foundation in education community
Why Christine is so passionate about supporting women and women in travel
How Christine supports her own wellness while still supporting others
How travel is a big part of Christine’s personal growth journey
Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode
To listen to the original interview, head over to the Through Inspired Eyes Podcast and tune into episode 74!
Join me for my Women’s Wilderness and Yoga Retreat in Alaska in March 2023!
We’ll be traveling 63 miles north of the Arctic Circle to stay at Arctic Hive, owned by my friend Mollie Busby and her husband Sean. This boutique property nestled in the Brooks Range is way off the beaten path and also off grid. We’ll stay in beautiful cabins built by hand by our hosts, practice yoga in their yoga dome lovingly referred to as The Hive, with gorgeous views of the surrounding nature.
We’ll explore the wilderness by snowshoe and dog sled, connect with members of the local community to learn about living in this remote environment, enjoy daily yoga practice and vegan meals all while keeping our eye out for the beautiful northern lights that like to show off their magic this time of year.
I only have 6 spaces for this unique adventure and a few are already taken. Hop over to the Lotus Sojourns website to book yours today.
Please share this experience with anyone you know would love this restorative adventure.
Want to learn more, you can listen to my Soul of Travel conversation, episode 67 with Mollie Busby
Visit www.lotussojourns.com/journeys to join this unique travel experience today.
To watch this interview on YouTube HERE.
Learn more about Lotus Sojourns
Looking for ways to be a part of the community, learn more here.
Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.
Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns or @souloftravelpodcast
LOVE these conversations...support the production of this podcast by making a donation here!
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WE WON A BESSIE AWARD! The Bessie Awards recognize the achievements of women and gender-diverse people making an impact in the travel industry. To view the complete list of this year’s winners, visit bessieawards.org.
About the Soul Of Travel Podcast
Soul of Travel honors the passion and dedication of the people making a positive impact in tourism. In each episode, you’ll hear the story of women who are industry professionals and seasoned travelers and community leaders who know travel is more than a vacation. It is an opportunity for personal awareness and it is a vehicle for change. We are thought leaders, action takers, and heart-centered change makers.
The guests work in all sectors of the tourism industry. You'll hear from adventure-based community organizations, social impact businesses, travel photographers and videographers, tourism boards and destination marketing organizations, and transformational travel experts. They all honor the idea that travel is more than a vacation and focus on sustainable travel, eco-travel, community-based tourism, and intentional travel.
These conversations are meant to educate, inspire and create community. They are directed to new travelers and seasoned travelers, as well as industry professionals and those who are curious about a career in travel.
If you want to learn about new destinations, types of travel, or how to be more intentional or live life on purpose, join Christine Winebrenner Irick for soulful conversations with her community of fellow travelers exploring the heart, the mind, and the globe. These conversations highlight what tourism really means for the world.
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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Jackie Roby (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth.
Transcript
KEYWORDS
travel, community, women, create, lotus, people, world, support, book, destination, space, soul, conversation, traveler, tourism, worked, inspired, podcast, trip
Christine Winebrenner Irick 00:08
Thank you for joining me for soulful conversations with my community of fellow travelers, exploring the heart, the mind and the globe. These conversations highlight what travel really means for the world. Soul of Travel honors the passion and dedication of the people making a positive impact in tourism. Each week, I'll be speaking to women who are tourism professionals, world travelers and leaders in their communities will explore how travel has changed them and how that has rippled out and inspired them to change the world. These conversations are as much about travel as they are about passion, and living life with purpose, chasing dreams, building businesses, and having the desire to make the world a better place. This is a community of people who no travel is more than a vacation. It is an opportunity for personal awareness, and it is a vehicle for change. We are thought leaders, action takers, and heart centered change makers I'm Christine Winebrenner Irick. And this is the Soul of Travel.
In this podcast, I got to sit on the other side of the mic from my friend and colleague Jackie Roby. You might recognize her name from Episode 13 of Soul of travel. And if you haven't heard it, now's a great time to go back and catch that episode. This time she's asking the questions and I was able to fully express the intention behind each experience with Lotus sojourns. The magic I see in travel and the importance of community in a way that I haven't before. This episode originally aired on July 29. I'm on Jackie's Through Inspired Eyes podcast, and I'm so excited to share it here with you. In our conversation, I share a bit about the messages I've received from the universe, and how I decided to honor the guidance.
Listen closely and create change in my business. We explore my mission to create a global sisterhood of cultural empathy to honor each other, embrace our voices, and celebrate ourselves. We share how travel can be a big part of our personal growth journey and what it is like to take a trip with a foundation in the education community and an inner journey. I hope you enjoy this bonus episode. Make sure you take a moment to show Jackie some love and find this episode on her through inspired eyes podcast page and leave a comment or share it here after listening and I'll be sure to let her know what you took away from this conversation. Soul of travel we'll be back in just a few weeks with season four. I can hardly believe we'll be celebrating our 100th episode soon. Until then enjoy the soulful conversation with me and Jackie Roby.
03:17
Through the digital world enhanced during the pandemic and the collection of souls that I met through the Transformational Travel Council. I was lucky enough to come across Christine Winebrenner Irick, the founder of Lotus Sojourns, she has done some amazing things that I have been following and watching and seeing the innovation that she's brought to the travel industry in such a caring, and thoughtful way. I'm so impressed and grateful to have her here today. So welcome, Christine.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 03:56
Thank you, thank you so much for those kind words. I'm so grateful that the universe brought us together. It was definitely a magic meant to be connected. And I'm really grateful to have this time with you today.
04:08
Thank you. So I want to start a little bit with what inspired you to open a load of soldiers.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 04:17
I've been in the industry for a little over 20 years working in all different aspects. And I really mean all I've loaded airplanes, I've been the baggage person I've worked in and I've worked in gift shops, I've worked all over I've worked for a cruise ship all different kinds of parts of the industry. And as I kind of went through that journey professionally, and then also as a traveler. It really landed on me, I started to see the things that I thought were really important.
And the things that I felt were the way that I thought tourism should be in the world and I just started piecing them together and trying to examine what to do with them. For instance, really seeing that I thought education in the context of travel was important in what it created, but also what it offered travelers and communities. And then I started to understand responsible travel and responsible tourism and what our impact was, again on environment and communities and how to be conscious of that.
As I traveled, I had these moments in connection with women and artisans and people that I gravitated to in destinations and left those experiences just in awe, and really inspired by how those connections made me feel. I eventually just took all of those pieces and was like, Okay, what do I do with these pieces, I was thinking about how I traveled as a woman, and that I really wanted to create a space for women travelers, that was founded on community, but then also brought together all these pieces like I wanted to bring in education and mindfulness and responsible tourism practices and connection to community. That's really what started it. I just thought about the ways that travel made me feel good. And I thought I could have the most impact and use that as the foundation for Lotus Sojourns.
06:14
That's pretty awesome. Was there a particular destination moment during these travels that initially sparked your thought behind this? I think
Christine Winebrenner Irick 06:26
it had been resting kind of on my shoulder the whole time. But in particular, I remember having the fortune of going to speak at the International Peace through Tourism Conference. I was just a part of a panel supporting a team of speakers. That experience of being in community and thinking about tourism, really, as a vehicle for peace, I was just floored. It also was a really powerful experience for me of tapping into listening to community.
There was the moment sitting there where I'm leading or facilitating conversation, and really keenly aware that I was not the person in the room that should have been leading the conversation. It was this aha moment of how we show up in travel, how we show up in destinations. And I was like, okay, there needs to be a different way that this is done. On that same trip, I was sitting in the middle of nowhere in Uganda with a circle of women. In my mind, everyone was speaking the same language. I know that we were not. And there was someone translating, but it was this moment of real, authentic communication.
I just remember these little kids like kind of climbing over my lap and climbing on their mom. And I felt such a part of this community. And so at home that I thought, this is really it, this is what I want to share with others. And it really wasn't about me, it was like, I want as many other people to feel this deeply connected to others in the world, and their sense of worth and belonging, and identity. It all just kind of swirled around in this moment. And that's really where it came from.
08:11
That's really a powerful experience. I'd love for you to expand a little bit on education through travel. Tell us a little bit more about what that means.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 08:21
I had the opportunity to travel to destinations with naturalists and guides and university professors that were experts in the area that we were in. And so they were talking about the culture and the environment, the geology, the landscape, the history, all of those pieces, were in a destination and really starting to dive deep into understanding. So you're not really there just as this traveler you're there to fully understand the destination. I remember the first time I had that experience again, it was through where I was working.
And I thought How will I ever go somewhere without a botanist and a geologist and a historian? Why would you go anywhere without these people with you? What will you get out of the experience? So having had that I thought, okay, so this is really important. This really opens another door for us, and really wanted to think about why that's important. But yeah, for me, the educational aspect is really just not going there just as a traveler by going there as a student and going there looking to understand, I say often that I feel like travel is unwrapping the story of the destination that you're in. And so that's what I'm looking for is that story.
09:41
Travel is unwrapping the story of the destination that you're in. Amazing. And when I think about that entourage that you traveled with, so awesome, but there's something about the education piece that I know I've experienced. This creates a little bit more of an emotional connection. And definitely enhances the memory of what you've experienced.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 10:08
When you have someone else, a local guide or an expert, they just take you another layer deeper. And then for me personally adding on this mindset setting intentions trying to be present, like you get just a little deeper into a destination. And I think it just adds that richness. And then like you said, it really creates this attachment, which for me, is what I want to have happen, I want everyone to have this story that I have in Uganda, that sits in their heart, because that's what creates the change that I'm hopeful that travel creates in the world.
10:43
Amazing. So now that things are opening up, if not fully opened, listen to the universe, that you're on the road again. So tell us a little bit about what it's like to travel with Lotus insurance.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 10:57
When I first created my first trip to Guatemala, I reached out to a women's artists in group that I had worked with in other capacities and said, I would like to create this experience with you, I want to do something that financially creates an impact for your organization, I also want to create a better understanding of the work you do and I want to connect with the women you support. So that is the model I've used, I'm always looking for some sort of social impact project to create in connection and in support of the trip that I have coming up to Jordan, similar to that they have something that they created with tourism cares, called the meaningful travel map. And this is a map of NGOs, social impact projects, community organizations that are in proximity to all of the major destinations you'd go to in Jordan. So if you're going to patch our Wadi Rum, or the Dead Sea, you can look at this map. And it's a way to get you off the beaten path and really engaging in community and supporting these organizations. So my Jordan trip follows this meaningful travel map.
So not only do you hit all of these things that you really want to see in Jordan, but you're going to really get to dive in and connect with the community and know that your travel is creating an impact that extends beyond your time there. That's what I'm really hoping to create as this community connection impact and, and not only that, like I will be guiding you along the way we'll set an intention before we go, we check in with you along the way, really trying to have as much of an inner journey as you are having an outer journey. And then when you return home, like thinking about how you can integrate that experience in your life so that it keeps giving after your home.
12:47
Incredible. So a true transformational travel experience.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 12:53
Yeah, I think transformation is a word that a lot of people define in different ways. And for me, I think the transformational process is really transforming your understanding of yourself. So it's not that you have to change but your relationship with yourself changes that makes it really accessible to everyone to have this sort of experience.
13:11
I couldn't agree more. One of the things that I've noticed is this incredible support you have for women. And I know that part of your inspiration in your company is wanting to create a space for women to reconnect to themselves. So why is supporting women and women and travel so important to you?
Christine Winebrenner Irick 13:35
I have definitely spent a lot of time thinking about that over the last two years, because it's been hard. And knowing why I need to do this is the only way I can keep putting one foot in front of the other. It really started for me at a young age as I recognized gender and equality for women. I think I was put on the planet with this message and this mission. And I remember doing book reports when I was really young, and they would say, okay, everyone's gonna write a book report about World War One. I remember marching into the library with my notebook and going up to the librarian and saying, we're doing a book report on World War One and I want to write about what women did. And they would look at me and say, okay, and we would go over to the section that was World War history, World War One.
And she's like, I think this book has a few pages. I just remember being so little and being like, this isn't okay. Like, I didn't really know what this was, but I was like, this isn't okay. Then the next year, it was like World War Two and the librarian was like, oh, gosh, here she comes. And then it was the same like in college was like, Okay, we're gonna write about media influences our lives and I was like, Okay, how does media influence issues that impact women? And it was this constant way that I saw the world. I also remember being in a class, and I remember sitting and we were talking about feminism. And it was a place that where I grew up in Montana and the time I grew up, this word was something that terrified me. And it was like, Do not be a feminist. Definitely don't be one of those.
And they started defining this as a way of thinking where you are amplifying the voices of people who don't have a platform and who don't have a space to share. And where there is an empowering balance. I remember sitting there like, oh, gosh, I'm a feminist. I have three daughters. Now, everything comes back to the question of how do I want them to be treated when they enter into this world? And how do I want every other girl to be treated when they enter into this world, and it's with equality and respect, and I want them to know that their voice is important. And nobody gets to tell them that it's not. And really, that's it every day, that's what I'm trying to do is create a space where that can happen. And it's, I think, partly my own journey. I spent the last two years trying to find my voice. That's where my podcast came from. I'm just like, here to die on that mountain.
16:08
Okay, so the dip brought tears to my eyes. First of all, the Trailblazer from the beginning. But the perspective of feminism and how people saw it back then, and what was ingrained in us, it feels so similar. I know I've kept very straight and narrow, keep your mouth shut, basically behave, lead, lead with keeping my mouth shut, I'm not sure. And the minute of finding your voice is so empowering, and it creates something, this space, that you never want to go back into that box again.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 16:53
Yeah, I've been so lucky to witness that. In my travels, I've been lucky to see that in communities of women around the world and to see what that looks like and to engage in communities and see it evolve. Again, it's like my soul's purpose, but witnessing it just nothing can be greater to me than seeing someone have that space. Even in the book sojourn that I guide, watching women have that moment. And I'm like, Yes, we're gonna do this. That's all I keep thinking. I'm like, we've got this keep bringing people in letting them find that space to become themselves and then just get out of the way
17:34
has. So like I said, I've watched you do so many incredible and creative things. So one of the first things that I saw was the Communities project that you put together. Tell us a little about that. And is that still going on?
Christine Winebrenner Irick 17:50
So I have had to pause it right now, just because I'm just me. And there's only so many things I can keep in motion at once. So I had my one year anniversary of Lotus sojourn three days before I was locked down here in the US and then immediately canceled the first full year of trips, which was heartbreaking. As the dates arrived, we would have been going to Guatemala and would have been going to Peru and would have been supporting these communities.
I just had this ache and the sadness that what I had set out to create wasn't happening. I had a few shirts that said, choose love, or we're in this together or like just shirts that I had been wearing and put it on and be like, let's just live this message today. That's how we're gonna get through today. Well, this might be something I could do, I could create these inspirational empowerment T shirts, sell them and $10 from every shirt would go to whatever organization that I was supporting that month.
And I also interviewed the organization to tell their story and bring it into the community. And so my thought was, I still want to highlight these communities. I want to connect them with others and still support them. That's really where it came from. I also worked with an organization that has environmentally friendly shirts that are sewn by an artisan cooperative in Haiti, really trying to just keep bringing my values forward. I felt like this last two years has just been this examination of what's important and how can we keep doing that in as many ways as possible.
19:23
I had no idea the backstory and I'm a little embarrassed about that. It's so beautiful. I invested in a shirt, obviously. I wanted to support you and I bought one that said she moves mountains and ended up giving it to my daughter who wears it proudly but it is legit the softest thing ever. And you also invested in recyclable shipping write
Christine Winebrenner Irick 19:49
labels for biodegradable wrapping. I want to do it from beginning to end. I wanted to see if I could make it happen. I just believe there must be a way and let's go. I didn't try it.
20:01
Well, it did because I still remember what it was shipped in. I love that.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 20:11
Hey, it's Christine. Interrupting this episode for just a moment, I wanted to share with you a podcast that I've recently found that I think will be the perfect complement to this episode. If you've ever encountered a situation while traveling where you felt a little uncomfortable, then you're really not alone. Each week unpacked by a farm will unpack a single, ethically complex question. For example, how can I travel with a lighter footprint without spending hours researching Zero Waste travel hacks? Or I know I can't write about an elephant. But Can I swim with dolphins? When it comes to animal tourism? How do I figure out what's okay and what's not okay. Through a mix of First Person stories and interviews with experts in the field. unpacked, we'll explore answers to those questions and offer new ways to engage with the places we visit and the people we meet. Because the world is so complicated, being an ethical traveler doesn't have to be to listen, search for unpacked BioPhar, on Apple, podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. I hope you enjoy it. Now let's head back over to our soulful conversation.
21:35
I'm going to keep moving on some of the other amazing things they've seen. Within your Facebook group. You have journal prompts that you do, and you run a book club.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 21:44
The Facebook group was early in this personal journey of finding your voice really, for me, stepping into my connection with my own spiritual identity and owning my gifts of intuition. And I had this really strong message that your community needs you. And you're gonna do this. And it was very clear, it was an instruction manual. Get your women together at 333 on this day and lead them in a meditation. They need you to know what it's like, perfect.
I've never led a meditation. I don't have an online community and I don't know what you're talking about. I never remember sitting in the parking lot at the grocery store thinking I'm clearly losing my mind right now. But the whole world is falling apart. So it's okay if I'm falling apart. I built this Facebook community, I reached out to a few people and I said I am feeling called to do this thing. Will you step in and leave this thing for a couple days. I created the community to lead the first meditation and had quite a few women join me.
For that my group quickly dropped in and started reaching out to all the amazing women I know and saying like can you lead meditation? Can you do yoga, breath work, conscious journaling, all these things, and everybody just showed up and every day at 333 for like three months we were there. I think the universe was just preparing me for being the version of myself I needed to be to move forward but also creating a space for all these other women to make it through. Those journaling prompts were something that really helped me. And so I wanted to share that. And anytime I just am like the queen of random musings, I'll read something or sitting in the car in that parking lot a lot is where I'm like, Oh, this thing just landed on me.
I just want to share it because I think it's probably for you that really all of my business has come out of what I need and knowing that if I need it, other women need it. I have this pile of books next to my reading chair and I was looking at it and I was like that feels like a sojourn. There's books about adventure. There's books about the soul 's journey. There's books about mindset, there's books about philanthropy, about feminism, all those books. What if I guided women through this journey, but through books, I'm gonna read them anyway, let's see what happens.
Trusting the magic of the universe that I asked a few people that I knew, a few people that I kind of knew. And they were all like, sure I'll sign up for a month or I'll try it out. And I really I set out to read one book a month for a year. And after the first meeting, several women texted me and they're like, I'm in just like put me in for the rest of the year. Now we're in our second year. I just don't even have words for it. It's a gift to be able to sit and share space with the women that show up and give up themselves and
24:41
wow, Christina, I have to tell you I have chills hearing this in how your intuition led you and what it opened up and brought and everything that you've done and you followed those points and created something and I want to remind all of the listeners that this is a mom of three Okay, holy cow, you're Superwoman.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 25:06
I am not. So definitely, definitely don't paint that picture. But I can't step away from it. And believe me, a lot of times, I'm like, okay, I'd really like to go snuggle on the couch or just like, do the other thing. But I just have that voice in the back of me or I meet the woman that's been waiting for me. And they tell me their story. And I give them the tool. And I'm like, Okay, I don't have a choice in this, really, I just have to keep going and keep showing up. And knowing that this is what I'm here for. I also had a conversation with my oldest daughter when I wanted to start a travel company. And I said, Mom loves to travel, but hadn't really done it a lot at that point. And I said, I want to start this business. And it's going to mean, I don't get to be here, like I've been for the last seven years of your life, I'm going to be doing other things. And I'm going to have to travel and I'm going to be busy, I just want you to know that I want you to know that. It's really important to me, to show up for others.
But I also want you to know that I'm thinking about you first. My daughter is like, the wisest soul. And she said, Mom, that's what you have to do, and you doing that is going to make me happy, and it's going to make you happy. So you have to do it. I'm no expert. And I'm doing nothing in the right way. I'm sure of it. But I really want to encourage other entrepreneurs and business owners and anyone who feels like they have something to do to not feel like they have to do it the right way. And to feel like they need to live up to some gold standard. Because I just think if you're doing the thing that lights you up, then you're doing the right thing. And then however it comes out is the way it's meant to be.
26:47
Well, absolutely. And I think the reset, is, there is no right way. There's your way, that gold standard is the standard that we set for ourselves. So that can be a moving target. And that's okay. It just has to bring satisfaction. Personally, I believe joy is success. Yep. So how do you support your own wellness with everything that you do?
Christine Winebrenner Irick 27:17
Honestly, that's my biggest struggle. And I go back and forth with that. And I think it's really hard in places where your sole mission is to support others is to not forget to support yourself. Honestly, I texted one of my friends today. And I was like, I've gone too far without taking care of myself. And I need to call you in as a reinforcement. And I need you to help me through this moment. So I think it's really important to try to create that balance. And again, like I'm not leading by a shining example, I'm fully aware that needs to happen, which I think is half the battle. And really just trying to be conscious. When you feel your body saying stop, to stop. And also knowing if I don't listen, my body will just be like, and now you have the flu. And you're like, Great, perfect, okay, I didn't listen. Again, there's an awareness.
So then I can be like, Okay, you're right, you've been telling me I need to slow down and I didn't listen. And so now I'm going to pick up a book and lay in bed for three days and get back to nourishing myself, try to create balance, and then from this, move forward, and I'll do it for a while. And then like I'll get really excited about another project. And it's a cycle. And every time it's like a shorter loop, but it's still a loop.
28:39
But look at that you have moments where you stop, and you're mindful, and you are listening to your body. So that itself is growth. And what is balance? I also love that you asked your friend for help, because asking for help is a sign of strength.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 28:58
Yeah, that's a hard lesson to learn. Also, nothing like the last two and a half years running a startup travel company to learn that lesson. And actually to receive the gift of that going back to where we met in the transformational travel Council. If we hadn't all shown up for each other in the way that had to happen in those first months. I just don't know what would have happened and the relationships that were forged in that space. Even if we're not as connected as we were as we get busier. I just know that we're holding space for each other in the universe. And it's just really important. It's been a lot easier to say, I am not sure how to do this part of my business or I need support in this space, help and to know that people are going to do it and return it with kindness community and not with any sort of disrespect like I know they're going to meet me with love and I think it's amazing too. I have learned that I don't think you get it everywhere. We are in this sweet space of magic and community that happens to be our businesses. But it's been a really important lesson and a good space to learn it in.
30:15
Absolutely. So Christine, how can travel help us heal.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 30:20
Of course, I believe this because this is what I've dedicated my life to. But I think travel is really everything that is a part of our daily lives. If we're paying attention to it, I think what it really does is allow us space, to understand ourselves and to understand the world. The deeper connections we have in both spaces are what heals everything. I just think it has endless opportunities for impact personally and globally.
30:47
How has it supported your healing journey,
Christine Winebrenner Irick 30:49
it has really taught me to trust myself, I think I have created a space where I'm open to the magic of travel, like I really, especially the last five years, whenever I set out, I just kind of tell the universe like I'm here for you. And it shows up in spades, probably more healing and growth than I have wished for. But I fully believe that something greater than the US wants us to have those experiences. And when we open the door to it, travel allows us to have it because we are not in our routine, we have our guard down and like our hearts open, our curiosity is around us. That's where all of this magic and healing seeps in.
31:39
I love that. So on your podcast, the soul of travel, you have really built this amazing platform, lifting women and travel up. Can you speak a little bit to that, because I know that you have been honored in multiple spaces for it. And it's so amazing to see.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 32:00
Again, this was back into those early days when the universe was telling me, I remember just getting ready one morning, and it's like you are going to start a podcast called The soul of travel. And these are the first people you should reach out to No, that's definitely not me. Wrong number. I had this feeling of panic as the pandemic set in. And I watched it kind of wash over the world. And I'm like, who is this where it is? This is where travel dies. Everything I have put my faith in in the last 20 years. I don't know if we're coming back from this. And then I just started thinking of the people that I know that this is their sole purpose, as well as showing the beauty of the world to others. I just reached out to them.
And I said, I want to start this thing where we talk about how healing and nourishing and beneficial travel can be. And I want when people return to travel to choose you. Everyone said yes. In the very first conversation with Gabby soul, we were talking about women in the space of travel. This is the first time in my entire life. I didn't go into this like guns blazing only women's voices. And so I did the first TED interviews, and some amazing men were included in those conversations. And I'm so grateful to have shared their stories. But the second season I was like this is for voices of women. This is where we get to tell our stories. Then I just started reaching out to people who've inspired me who I've found through the magic of digital and virtual connections over the past two years and just started telling the stories of the work they're doing and how travel has inspired them and how that's created a shift in their lives and how they want to use travel as a space to create healing in the world.
33:54
Amazing. It's so beautiful. And I hope all of you will listen to it. I'll make sure to provide the link in the show notes. As we wrap up. I love to ask questions as a sales strategist. What are your three key selling points for working with Lotus sojourns
Christine Winebrenner Irick 34:14
for Lotus sojourns? Really what I set out to create is a community for women I really wanted to create a way that travel can be a vehicle for change. I have just known in my heart of hearts that travel isn't about escape, but return and I just want as many people to have that experience as possible. It's so hard for me when it comes to actually selling my trips because it's so much more than that. All I want is the people that need that experience. I just want to give it to them and I remember being at a show and like seeing someone walked by and like feeling their energy like tapping into my intuition and just knowing I have this is for you, this is what you need. And not everybody's there with that level of trust. But for me, I just, I want women to have these experiences and community. And I just have such a deep, deep love of travel and what it offers us and how it shows us to move through our lives. And I just think it's an extension of living. And it's an extension of how we live. And so that's really what I wanted to create, and what I hope that I'm offering travelers and the community,
35:31
oh, my gosh, absolutely pristine. And I would say to add on to those that my key selling points for y'all are the fact that you hear great experiences that are really value driven, as well as education driven. So this is something where people can learn about where they're going, the destination, the culture, but also learn about themselves. That's amazing. And what you talked about that intuition that you're following that feeling of wanting to help others, to be able to be guided by someone with that good intention is such a monumental gift. And then lastly, your love of travel, how you see it, what you believe, and the way you live it, that energy comes out. I am so excited for the women that travel with you to be able to feel that thank you. Tell us what are the best ways to connect with you and work with Lotus searchers. I know you've got a few trips coming up.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 36:44
I have a journey coming up in Montana this August, which is a really unique one because we're doing a three month mental physical and spiritual coaching before it where people can get ready to hike and bike and raft and explore Montana and kind of tap into our wild. And I have a trip coming up in Jordan, as I mentioned following the meaningful travel map. And then in Alaska next spring, 63 miles north of the Arctic Circle, we're doing a yoga wilderness retreat, which is going to be pure magic, I'm sure of it. So if you want to find out about those trips, you can visit Lotus sojourns.com You can follow me on Instagram, either at Lotus sojourns or at soul travel podcast. And if you haven't gotten the sense, I'm clear about community and connection. So if you reach out to me on any of those spaces, I'm going to be so excited to hear your story and see where I fit into your journey and invite you to really I sincerely invite you to connect.
37:44
Thank you, honestly, you're such a bright and beautiful soul. I'm really, truly grateful that you've come into my world. And were kind enough to give your time to me and to all the listeners. So thank you.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 38:01
Thank you and I just reflect it right back at you. So um, anybody listening can know this is like a big Uber love fest, but it's true.
38:12
You well until next time, stay inspired
Christine Winebrenner Irick 38:32
Thank you for listening to the Soul of Travel. I hope you enjoyed the journey. If you love this conversation, I encourage you to subscribe, rate the podcast and share the episodes that inspire you with others. I am so proud of the way these conversations are bringing together people from around the world. If this sounds like your community, welcome.
I am so happy you are here. You can find all the ways you can be a part of the Soul of Travel and Lotus Sojourns Community at www.Lotussojourns.com. Here you can learn more about the Soul of Travel and my guests.
You can see details about the transformational sojourns. I guide women, as well as my book Sojourn which offers an opportunity to explore your heart mind in the world through the pages of books specially selected to create any journey. I'm all about community and would love to connect.
You can find me on Facebook at Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community, or follow me on Instagram either @lotussojourns or @souloftravelpodcast. Stay up to date by joining the Lotus Sojourns mailing list. I look forward to getting to know you and hopefully hearing your story.